South Side woman's death ruled homicide

April 18, 2007|By FROM NEWS SERVICES

Close to her friends and family, Jocelyn Love would return calls within hours, those who knew her said. So when her cousins called repeatedly over the weekend and heard nothing, they said, they knew something was wrong.

"She was very responsible, and that's why when nobody talked to her since Friday, it was out of the norm," said Shaniese Love, 35, who said she was a cousin.

Jocelyn Love, 26, was found beaten to death in her apartment in the 7600 block of South Langley Avenue late Monday night when police arrived after the family asked them to do a well-being check.

An autopsy revealed that Love died of strangulation and a head injury, authorities said. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Police said there were no signs of forced entry or burglary.

The slaying appeared to be domestic-related, and police have identified a "person of interest" who knew the victim, Gresham District police said.

Calumet Area detectives were investigating. No charges had been filed and no one is in custody, police said.

Love had moved into the apartment about a month ago with her boyfriend, said Shaniese Love, who lives in Chicago.

Shanina Love, who also said she is a cousin, said family members could not find Jocelyn Love's car. She said a friend had last seen Jocelyn about 2 a.m. Saturday morning.

Relatives recalled Love as a warm and open person.

"She just was bubbly," Shaniese Love said. "Every time, she had a smile on her face. She always had a joke."

Although she had no children, Jocelyn Love was good with kids, her cousins said.

"She was there when I had my youngest son," Shanina Love said. "When she saw that I was in need, she got a whole bunch of clothes together and gave them to me. She would go grocery shopping. She was just so sweet."